In 2012, artist Marco Cianfanelli created a sculpture as a reminder of the fiftieth anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s arrest in 1962, and subsequent 27-year
Author: Gloria Shur Bilchik
Gloria Shur Bilchik is a freelance writer and community volunteer in St. Louis, Missouri. She is the editor of Occasional Planet. She views the preservation of democratic values and progressive programs as vital to making the US a humane, livable place for her children and grandchildren.
Ferguson, as seen by editorial cartoonists
There’s nothing funny about what has been happening in Ferguson, Missouri, in the aftermath of the shooting–by a police officer– of Michael Brown, an
The 2015 Reagan Ranch calendar just landed in my mailbox
It’s fun to live in a zip code that politicos view as split between Republicans and Democrats. I get phone calls, door knocks and
Inside the grand jury: Prosecutor in Michael Brown case holds all the cards
The power to indict or not indict Darren Wilson—the police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri—is completely in the hands
The unbearable invisibility of political underdogs
In theory, Americans love the underdog. In practice—especially in 21st century media coverage of political campaigns—underdog candidates might as well be wearing Harry Potter’s
Courts are conflicted over secrecy of death drugs: I’m not
Should states be required to disclose which drugs they use to kill people sentenced to the death penalty? In July 2014, the 9th Circuit
“I can buy a firearm, but I can’t get assistance to buy a sandwich”
In a move that demonstrates a small—and too rare—step toward common sense in lawmaking, Missouri has rescinded [mostly] an 18-year-old law that banned people
Political quotes: Who said this?
There’ s a politically relevant quote hiding behind this teaser. When you see the full quote, you may be surprised to learn who said
Direct-deposit helps city workers enter the financial mainstream
From the department of good government practices: St. Louis’ City Treasurer Tishaura Jones is helping city workers escape the high-interest, payday loan world and
Supreme Court on Hobby Lobby: Not funny, but cartoon-worthy
The Supreme Court’s decision in the Hobby Lobby case is another step in the wrong direction for the U.S. The old white guys who